As expected, things are developing rapidly as far a the 2020-21 college basketball schedule is concerned. When speaking with reporters yesterday, Jay Wright indicated that the Empire Classic, which includes Villanova, Baylor, N.C. State, and Michigan, may be in doubt. Now, courtesy of some excellent reporting by Adam Zagoria, it appears that the Empire Classic will not only happen, but will serve to kick off the season for the Wildcats.
Zagoria reports that the Mohegan Sun Arena is slated to host several events (Empire Classic, Legends Classic, Hall of Fame Invitational, Hall of Fame Tip-Off) over multiple dates including Nov. 25-26 (the first two days of the season), Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 3-4. Initially, it was unclear which events would be on which dates, but Zagoria followed up with information that pinned down the dates for each event, with the Empire Classic kicking things off.
While no official announcement has been made, this appears to be solid information. If it proves to be, what changed from yesterday when Wright thought the event could be in doubt? First, it appears (another head nod to Zagoria) that the Big East has nailed down a mid-December start date for conference games while also assuming a 20-game conference schedule. Wright was adamant that establishing the conference schedule was the top priority and that the non-conference schedule would fall into place once that was done. Even without specific dates nailed down, knowing the target start date for conference play allows teams to begin to fill in dates from Nov. 25 until mid-December. Second, the Mohegan Sun Arena stepped up to provide a home for the event as well as offering multiple solid dates of availability. With those factors settled, it appears things were able to come together quickly.
Zagoria adds that the Mohegan Sun has also opened another window from Dec. 7-11 during which it could host games and is eyeing a possible third window from Dec. 15-20. The third window is in doubt because conference play will be underway, but the venue is open to hosting either high-profile non-conference games or intriguing conference games during that time. The Big East appears committed to playing conference games at campus sites/home arenas at this point, but it's hard not to wonder if perhaps the scheduled Villanova-Virginia game could be a candidate for that third window. We noted yesterday that Wright seemed intent on finding a way to get the Virginia game played.
We expect more information to come out and for it to do so quickly as teams scramble to nail down their schedules, but for now it appears likely that Villanova will kick off the season with the Empire Classic and we'll be keeping an eye out for an official announcement.
Zagoria reports that the Mohegan Sun Arena is slated to host several events (Empire Classic, Legends Classic, Hall of Fame Invitational, Hall of Fame Tip-Off) over multiple dates including Nov. 25-26 (the first two days of the season), Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 3-4. Initially, it was unclear which events would be on which dates, but Zagoria followed up with information that pinned down the dates for each event, with the Empire Classic kicking things off.
While no official announcement has been made, this appears to be solid information. If it proves to be, what changed from yesterday when Wright thought the event could be in doubt? First, it appears (another head nod to Zagoria) that the Big East has nailed down a mid-December start date for conference games while also assuming a 20-game conference schedule. Wright was adamant that establishing the conference schedule was the top priority and that the non-conference schedule would fall into place once that was done. Even without specific dates nailed down, knowing the target start date for conference play allows teams to begin to fill in dates from Nov. 25 until mid-December. Second, the Mohegan Sun Arena stepped up to provide a home for the event as well as offering multiple solid dates of availability. With those factors settled, it appears things were able to come together quickly.
Zagoria adds that the Mohegan Sun has also opened another window from Dec. 7-11 during which it could host games and is eyeing a possible third window from Dec. 15-20. The third window is in doubt because conference play will be underway, but the venue is open to hosting either high-profile non-conference games or intriguing conference games during that time. The Big East appears committed to playing conference games at campus sites/home arenas at this point, but it's hard not to wonder if perhaps the scheduled Villanova-Virginia game could be a candidate for that third window. We noted yesterday that Wright seemed intent on finding a way to get the Virginia game played.
We expect more information to come out and for it to do so quickly as teams scramble to nail down their schedules, but for now it appears likely that Villanova will kick off the season with the Empire Classic and we'll be keeping an eye out for an official announcement.